Artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just an empty industry buzzword. According to a 2017 report from market research firm Tractica, AI-related software revenue is forecast to grow from US $3.2 billion in 2016 to $89.8 billion by 2025 impacting all business types and verticals.
Fifty-two per cent of New Zealand businesses claim AI will be a game changer in the way they operate. Those that don’t embrace AI face the possibility of having either their own job or the many jobs they are responsible for significantly impacted by AI or the AI-driven services of rivals.
However, it’s not too late to get on-board. Microsoft recognises the challenges of implementing AI at all levels of the market and has collated a large library of training material for anybody seeking help. It’s easy to use as different resources have been compartmentalised for different requirements, so you just access what you need. It’s easy to skim through all the material. Simply look at the section summaries and bullet points.
To make it even easier to get started Microsoft has created a new page on their New Zealand partner hub that outlines AI opportunities in NZ, features selected courses you can try for free plus has an overarching guide called Microsoft’s A.I. Practice Development Playbook that you can download
For CIOs and practice owners, the playbook explains how to define practice strategy, hire and train resources, go to market and optimise and grow their business. There’s no hard sell – the guide points you to the requisite resources.
The playbook focus for businesses is on driving new revenue opportunities, and developing strategies for marketing, selling and lead capture, as well as building deeper and longer-term engagements with customers through new offerings such as managed services.
For IT sales professionals, IT developers, or anyone looking at an IT Career there are three key reasons you might want to try the online courses:
- You want to know how to sell AI as part of your IT services solutions
- You want to get an AI Certification on your CV
- You want to stand out from other candidates vying for IT sales or technical roles
After trying the online courses, or downloading the guide, you could discover how to build intelligent bots that enable conversational (and predictive) communication between humans and AI, and how software can be used to process, analyse and extract meaning from natural, human language plus images and video. Whether you run, want to get ahead in or join a business, Microsoft’s resources will get you there.